Failures digitally controlled steering

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Electronic Mobility vehicles. Closed 29 November 1996.

Investigation
PE96049
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
1 August 1996
Closed
29 November 1996

What NHTSA investigated

The DS-2000 is an electronic device for use by physically challanged persons to steer a motor vehicle.the device consists of a hanc held contol box fitted with a small steering wheel that is about 5 inches in diameter.the cotrol box feeds electronic signals to a onboard computer, which, in turn, operates a steering servo.the small steering wheel is much easier to turn thant a conventional steering wheel, even if filled with power steering. The ohio rehabilitation service commision forwarded a safety directive, that was sent by the manufacturer of the purchasers of the subject product.the directive warned owners to immediately stop using the device due to reported malfunctions that result in momentary loss of steering control.

The recall that followed

  1. Electronic Mobility — Unknown or Other96E0400005 December 1996133 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
Electronic MobilityDS2000Model year not recorded

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.